My ongoing theme is always the truth, as I see it, and the exposure of lies, deception and manipulation wherever they exist. I remain firmly convinced that the world can no longer resist its innate urge to unite and co-operate with one another and we are very close to the point where war can no longer be an option if this transformation is to occur. Website: allenroland.com Email: allen@allenroland.com

Friday, April 17, 2015

WHY LINCOLN STILL MATTERS TODAY

On the anniversary of Lincoln's assassination on April 14, 1865,
150 years ago, I pause to reflect on this giant of a man and 16th President who
represents all the moral qualities we would hope our current Presidents embody
~ and yet we remain so bitterly disappointed when few if any of these
Presidential pretenders can approach the moral timbre of our greatest
president: Allen L Roland, Ph.D

“America
will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
~ Abraham
Lincoln

Abraham
Lincoln is still a symbol of the best of America and historian Doris Kearns
Goodwin in 2008 listed the ten qualities that made Lincoln such a great leader
as well as the qualities we should look for in our present leaders.

1. Capacity to Listen
to Different Points of View

While researching her
Pulitzer Prize winning book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham
Lincoln, Kearns Goodwin learned that Lincoln had the capacity to listen to
different points of view. He created a climate where Cabinet members were free
to disagree without fear of retaliation. At the same time, he knew when to stop
the discussion and after listening to the various opinions, make a final
decision.

2. Ability to Learn
on the Job

Lincoln was able to
acknowledge errors, learn from them, and then move. In this way, he established
a culture of learning in his administration, said Kearns Goodwin.

3. Ready Willingness
to Share Credit for Success

In response to
concerns expressed by friends about the actions of some of his Cabinet members,
Lincoln stated that the "path to success and ambition is broad enough for
two" said Kearns Goodwin. When there was success, Lincoln shared the credit
with all of those involved.

4. Ready Willingness
to Share Blame for Failure

When mistakes were
made by members of his Cabinet, Lincoln stood up for them said Kearns Goodwin.
When contracts related to the war effort raised serious questions about a
member of his administration, Lincoln spoke up and indicated that he and his
entire Cabinet were to blame.

5. Awareness of Own
Weaknesses

Kearns Goodwin noted
that one of the weaknesses acknowledged by Lincoln was his tendency to give
people too many chances and because he was aware, he was able to compensate for
that weakness. As an example, she stated that George McClellan, Commander in
Chief of the Union Army, refused to follow directives about the war effort.
Lincoln eventually set a deadline and eventually removed McClellan from the
position.

6. Ability to Control
Emotions

According to Kearns
Goodwin, Lincoln treated those he worked with well. However, he did get angry
and frustrated, so he found a way to channel those emotions. He was known to
sit down and write what he referred to as a “hot letter” to the individual he
was angry with and then he would set the letter aside and not send it. If he
did lose his temper, Lincoln would follow up with a kind gesture or letter to
let the individual know he was not holding a grudge, said Kearns Goodwin. She
noted that one of the letters was released as part of Lincoln’s Presidential
papers with a notation that it was never signed nor sent.

7. Know How to Relax
and Replenish

Lincoln understood
the importance of relaxation and humor to shake of the stress of the day and to
replenish himself for the challenges of the next day. According to Kearns
Goodwin, Lincoln had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell funny
stories. He encouraged a healthy atmosphere of laughter and fun in his
administration. He also enjoyed going to the theater and spending time with
friends.

8. Go Out into the
Field and Manage Directly

During the Civil War,
many soldiers died and there were many ups and downs. Lincoln established
lasting connections with the troops by visiting the battlefield and hospitals,
which also helped bolster morale.

Lincoln also spent
time talking with members of the public, taking ‘public opinion baths’
according to Kearns Goodwin. He held public receptions and made a point of
shaking everyone’s hand and speaking to each individual.

9. Strength to Adhere
to Fundamental Goals

In the summer of
1964, said Kearns Goodwin, the war was not going well for the North. Members of
his political party came to Lincoln and said that there was no way to win the
war and he might need to compromise on slavery. Lincoln held firm on the issue
of slavery and turned away from this advice.

10. Ability to
Communicate Goals and Vision

Kearns Goodwin stated
that Lincoln had a “remarkable ability to communicate his goals to his
countrymen.” He made concepts simple and communicated with an understanding
of the concerns of the citizens.

When the war ended
and he won reelection, Lincoln did not focus on his achievements said Kearns
Goodwin. Rather, in his second inaugural speech, Lincoln focused on bringing
the country together as expressed in the following excerpt. “With malice
toward none, with charity for all, let us strive on to finish the work we are
in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the
battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and
cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Kearns Goodwin ended
her keynote address with the following words from Leo Tolstoy about Abraham
Lincoln. His greatness consisted of the “integrity of his character and
moral fiber of his being.”

To
get a real feel for Lincoln, watch Steven Spielberg's 20 minute featurette on
Lincoln which is a perfect backdrop for this amazing man of character as well
as Spielberg's brilliant film. 20 minute YouTube featurette ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-w4A43wkGU

In
the spirit of Lincoln ~ Integrity of
character and moral fiber of their being are the two determining qualities with
which we shouldjudge our leaders as well as
potential leaders ~ which, at the present time, leaves a somewhat barren
political landscapein America.

“Nearly
all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give
him power.”
~ Abraham
Lincoln

Heart
centered spiritual consultant and advisorAllen L Roland can
be contacted atallen@allenroland.comAllen is also a
lecturer and writerwho shares a weekly
political and social commentary on hisweb logand websiteallenroland.com. He is also a featured columnist on Veterans
Today and guest
hosts a monthly national radio show TRUTHTALK onwww.conscioustalk.net

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers

About Me

I'm a disabled active duty Navy veteran who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, survived a dysfunctional family, pursued and lived my dreams, including being a Navy carrier fighter pilot. I found myself by fully opening my heart, wrote three books, sired four children and I'm still living my ultimate dream by making a difference from a place of celebration and service. My 1998 PhD dissertation on the UNIFIED FIELD was chosen by Noetic Science and Common Boundary as one of the top three world finalists on combining psychology and spirituality. I retired from my private practice in 2014, because of my service connected asbestosis related lung disease, and live in Antioch, California but still remain involved as a featured columnist on Veterans Today and heart centered spiritual consultant and advisor ~ particularly with combat veterans with PTSD as well as others with PTHD ( Post Traumatic Heart Disorder).